Lesley University Arts Center

For over a century, Lesley University has recognized the vital role of the creative arts in student growth, and in stimulating minds and uplifting all people.

Today, Lesley is building the Lesley University Arts Center—the new home of the College of Art and Design—to advance engagement with the arts across the university, throughout the surrounding community, and everywhere our graduates pursue their professions.

The Arts Center, to be located on Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge’s Porter Square, will double the College of Art and Design's current space, and is designed to be a nexus of creative thought and energy by providing state-of-the-art facilities for use by the arts programs in all of Lesley's schools. This major investment in the arts will not only benefit students and faculty, but also students and faculty across the university in programs like expressive therapies and creative arts.

Activity is already under way at the site. With construction expected to be completed by the end of 2014, we will embark on the spring 2015 semester, which begins in January 2015, in the new building—less than two years from now. The completion of the Arts Center will realize the College of Art and Design's long-awaited move from Boston’s Kenmore Square to Lesley’s Porter Campus.

About the Lesley University Arts Center

The unique design of the new Arts Center marries history with contemporary design through construction of the new four-story building connected by a dramatic, glass-walled commons to the historic, former North Prospect Church.

The new Arts Center will contain classrooms, studios, digital and other laboratories, faculty offices, and flexible spaces for collaborative work. The ground floor will feature art exhibition spaces that invite the public in while enlivening the streetscape.

The Arts Commons Connector is a three-story glass arts commons space that will connect the new building with the historic church. The commons, opening onto a plaza on Massachusetts Avenue, serves as the entrance to the Arts Center, welcoming students, faculty and visitors into the complex.

The historic, former North Prospect Church is being relocated and restored to house the arts library and art-making studios.

The first phase of the Arts Center complex, housed in Lesley’s University Hall on Massachusetts Avenue, is already completed and features drawing classrooms, critique rooms, space for the MFA in Photography Program, and professional-rate studios for seniors in all majors.

The Arts Center will expand the long tradition of offering robust events and activities to the Lesley community, including exhibitions, visiting artist lectures, conferences and symposia.